UPDATE: Although the D5100 was not supported in the original beta release of ACR 6.4 (CS5, PSE/PRE 9, LR 3), it is now supported in the final versions (6.4.1, 3.4.1). For more information and downloads click hereTest data of the D5100 on DxO Sensor MarkNikon updates Capture NX2 to 2.2.7 adding support for the D5100. Download hereView NX2 now also supports this camera, the latest version is 2.3.0. Download here

The camera also includes a standard stereo mini-pin jack for the connection of an optional external microphone, such as the new Nikon ME-1, while it is also compatible with instantaneous geo-tagging and – thus – includes CA90 a connector for an (optional) external GPS device.Nikon specs Eye-Fi WiFi memory card compatibility as well, however, according to the Eye-Fi web site, other SDHC compliant Nikon DSLR's (like the D40 and D60) and quite a few Coolpixes are compatible too.Click here to review the Eye-Fi/Nikon compatibility chart.

As has become habitual with the entry-level series – also called Baby-Nikons – the D5100 does not include an auto-focus motor, which means that for full auto-focus compatibility a (motorized) AF-S lens must be used.That said, since the launch of the first motor-less Nikons, a wide range of very respectable, economical AF-S lenses have become available, such as the 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6GII and the 55-200 mm f/4-5.6G among others, which both cost less than US$ 250. After the break: software & full specs.

Anybody who has a little experience with flash photography knows that on-camera flash – even with a modifier – rarely gives the best possible results.This is why all Nikon DSLR's since the D2/D200 include a unique iTTL flash system called CLS, which allows you to remotely control off-camera flash units, be that a SB-600, SB-700, SB-800, SB-900/910 or any combination of CLS compatible flashes.

With the exception of the flagships (D1-D4 series) – which do not have a built-in flash – and the so-called Baby Nikons (including the D3000- and D5000 series), all models from the D200 onward also include the option to use the built-in flash to remotely trigger up to two groups of external flashes. This so-called “Commander Mode” can be set in the flash menu > built-in flash > commander mode.

UPDATE. Today, 22-03-2011, Nikon published the View NX 2.1.2. update for Windows ONLY. The update solves an issue of My Picturetown not displaying properly in NX2. The update can be downloaded here. Note that this is a full version, which means that if you are updating from anything previous to 2.1.1 on Windows, you will not need to install that version (discussed below) as well.

The Nikon View NX 2.1.1 update - apart of a host of bug fixes - adds a few new features plus support for the following cameras: Coolpix P500, Coolpix P300, Coolpix L120, Coolpix L23, Coolpix S9100, Coolpix S6100, Coolpix S4100 and Coolpix S3100. The update for either Windows (see above) or Mac, in English or Spanish can be downloaded here.

Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) provides system-level support for digital camera RAW formats, which can be opened in programs like Aperture and iPhoto.Apple published the latest software update for Digital Camera RAW, version 3.5, which adds support for the Nikon D7000 and Coolpix P7000 as well as the following cameras:• Canon PowerShot G12• Leica D-Lux 5, Leica V-Lux 2• Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2, Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2Digital Camera RAW v.3.5 can be downloaded here, more information about OS X RAW compatiblity can be found here.

On one of those typical gray, Dutch September rainy days we did a little tour of an old-fashioned photo store called Camera Land, located at one of those typical gray, suburban shopping centers; this one in the city of Alkmaar, at about 35 km. from Amsterdam.Although it is nothing compared to those giant photo stores in the US, it is a pleasure to spend some time there, because the owner is around – which always helps – they are well stocked and the staff is not pushy, very knowledgeable and ready to think along with the customer.

Since I am tall, I have had quite a bit of trouble to find a good mono-pod to fit me, but the store carries the RedGed brand, which takes this aspect into consideration. So, they had no trouble coming up with three 170 cm. models – two of which carbon fiber and out of budget. I left with the most economical of the three: a RMA-432 4-section one-touch aluminum mono-pod, which has a tube diameter of 32 mm., folds down to 54 cm., supports up to 15 Kg. and weighs only 650 grams (69 Euros).I also bought another umbrella adapter for off-camera flash, but my best buy by far was also the cheapest:

Update. Adobe Labs published the Adobe Camera RAW (CS5 only) and DNG converter 6.7 Release Candidate, adding support for the Nikon D4 and D800/E, among others.

Adobe Labs has published the Adobe Camera RAW (CS5 only) and DNG converter 6.3 Release Candidate. The ACR plug-in and stand-alone DNG converter come as separate packages, which you can download here.The ACR download also includes a slew of new lens-profiles; mostly Nikkor (22) but also Canon, Samsung and Sigma. For more information, go here and click on the tab "Product Details"; the list of lens profiles can be found at the bottom half of the page.